CostIndexUSA

Cedar Rapids, IA vs Fort Lauderdale, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIA
Cedar Rapids
89
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
FL
Fort Lauderdale
114.2
overall index
$2,650/mo rent

Cedar Rapids is significantly cheaper than Fort Lauderdale — 28.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cedar Rapids, you would need $102,600 in Fort Lauderdale. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+117.9%
Cedar Rapids
71.4
Fort Lauderdale
155.6
🛒 Groceries+10.6%
Cedar Rapids
93.7
Fort Lauderdale
103.6
🚗 Transportation+17.4%
Cedar Rapids
97.6
Fort Lauderdale
114.6
🏥 Healthcare+17.4%
Cedar Rapids
88.3
Fort Lauderdale
103.7
Utilities+15.7%
Cedar Rapids
84
Fort Lauderdale
97.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Cedar Rapids to see what you'd need to earn in Fort Lauderdale to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Fort Lauderdale, FL
$102,600
$22,600 more needed in Fort Lauderdale

Formula: salary × (114.2 ÷ 89) = salary × 1.2831. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Cedar Rapids, IA

Median Home Price
$230,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
71.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.4×

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Median Home Price
$467,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,650
Housing Index
155.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.7×

Fort Lauderdale has 117.9% higher housing costs compared to Cedar Rapids.

Income & Job Market

Cedar Rapids, IA

Median Household Income
$73,600
Per Capita Income
$42,000
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
133,562
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceTechnologyAgriculture

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Median Household Income
$76,300
Per Capita Income
$43,500
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
182,760
Top Industries
FinanceTourismHealthcareReal EstateMarine

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Cedar Rapids, IA
5.6×income-to-rent ratio

82% of income left after rent (median)

Fort Lauderdale, FL
2.4×income-to-rent ratio

58% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.